Keith Wyness, former Aberdeen chief, has raised concerns about the declining Scottish football coefficient, calling it a “big problem” for both Celtic and Rangers.
Wyness, who served as CEO at Aberdeen from 2000 to 2004 and has since held prominent roles at Everton and Aston Villa, made his comments on the Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast.
The 66-year-old emphasised that subpar performances from Scotland’s leading clubs in Europe—namely Celtic, Rangers, and Hearts—could have long-lasting repercussions for the nation’s football.
“It damages Scottish football and damages the possibility of investors coming in,” he warned.
The Scottish football coefficient, which determines how many European places each nation receives, fell out of the continent’s top 15 last season.
As a result, from the 2025-26 campaign, the Scottish Premiership champions will no longer gain automatic entry into the Champions League group stages—a significant blow to the league’s stature.
This term, Celtic managed to secure direct qualification to the Champions League, beginning their campaign with a resounding 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday (18 September).
However, Rangers fell short in their qualification efforts and will instead compete in the Europa League. Hearts, on the other hand, will contest the UEFA Conference League.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “The coefficient means a lot.
“Historically, both clubs would have got a free pass into Europe each year.
“It’s now very difficult. Hopefully Celtic will get the coefficient back up with some good performances in the Champions League, and Rangers will have to do well in the Europa League.
“It damages Scottish football and damages the possibility of investors coming in.
“The coefficient situation is a big problem.
“Celtic, Rangers and the whole Scottish game should be worried about this coefficient.”